Despite being proclaimed the best high school player since Lebron James, University of Kansas star freshman Andrew Wiggins hasn’t quite had the standout season some had expected in College Hoops.
While fellow star frosh and potential one-and-done players Julius Randle, Jabari Parker, and even fellow teammate Joel Embiid have all had some pretty impressive offensive outputs over the season, Wiggins has been steadily improving his game, showing the nation and NBA scouts little glimpses of just how great he could one day become, averaging 16 ppg, highlighted by a then season high 26 points against Florida back in December and 19 boards vs Iowa State in mid January.
Since the turn of the calendar year to 2014, Wiggins has scored in double figures in 15 of 19 games, setting new career highs in scoring against TCU (27pts), then 29 points in a rematch with Iowa State in late January.
But following an epic 41 point outburst Saturday against West Virginia, which was the 2nd highest point total for a freshman in the Big 12 since Michael Beasley’s 44 back in 2008, it appears as if the 6’8 small forward has finally had that monster standout statistical game that we all have been waiting for…even if it came in a loss to West Virginia.
Wiggins shot 12-18 from the field and 15-19 from the line to go with 8 rebounds, also becoming the first Division I player in the past 15 years to have at least 5 steals and 4 blocks along with 40 points in a game.
With teammate Joel Embiid sidelined indefinitely due to a nagging back injury could Wiggins surpass everyone as the #1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft?
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
